The NBA has tested our patience several times this off- season, and honestly, I’m not sure if that fact makes the league more interesting or more controversial. What I do know for sure is that things were amplified by Lebron James’ “me” first mentality. However, despite my personal distaste for his pre-“decision” antics, his Lebron-athon, or his post announcement championship celebration in South Florida, I do agree that it was his decision to make. Such is not the case with Chris Paul. Paul has let his envy expose his immaturity and unwillingness to work hard with the fortune he has been given. Sure the Hornets might not have a Dream Team roster but screaming for legalized defection isn’t going to help matters any. In my eyes Paul has already brandished himself beneath James.

 When the facts are all analyzed it is easily determined that Paul is a bigger prima-donna and egotist than James; and that’s saying something. Paul feels like the Hornets owe him something they simply cannot provide, championship caliber players. In reality the Hornets owe Paul nothing more than fulfilling their contractual obligations. Now if the contract states that the Hornets will guarantee Chris Paul a championship ring during his obligation in New Orleans then by all means Chris has a valid argument. This is not the case, therefore Paul needs to shut up, the media needs to stop chumming the story, and David Stern is right to warn teams about tampering.

 Meanwhile the Hornets are essentially between a rock and hard place. If New Orleans sticks to their guns and don’t trade Paul they will have a bitter locker room, a superstar unwilling to work hard to win, and fans who don’t feel a connection with their star. If the Hornets grant the trade the fallout from caving to the demands of a player who still has two years on contract could cause a cataclysmic ripple across the league, not to mention the New Orleans program. The best scenario for New Orleans would be to start the season, let the waters calm, see what position their team is in come the trade deadline and potentially move Paul at that time. At the very least they can publically claim a lost case to help alleviate some of the league backlash. Toronto was in a similar situation this past season and made the mistake of not getting anything valuable back for an extremely disgruntled Chris Bosh. Now he plays for a division rival and the Raptors are left picking up the pieces of their fractured franchise.

In the end New Orleans has a chance to turn an extremely bitter and disastrous situation into something worthwhile. The only thing I dread is the ripple effect from a bad decision by a newly managed franchise.

Thanks for reading.